PA High Gas Prices

ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Pennsylvania gas prices are among the highest in the nation. That is according to a new report from the Automobile Association of America.

The figures released today come from a survey of more than 120 thousand self serve gas stations across the country. Plenty of Pennsylvania motorists are not surprised by the results. WTAJ Reporter Kevin Flanigan has been looking into some of the local numbers and has the latest.

With the average price of regular gas in Pennsylvania at $3.63 a gallon, this State has the sixth highest gasoline prices in the country according to the Triple "A" fuel gauge report. Only Hawaii, California, Alaska, Connecticut and New York have higher prices..

"Outrageous. I just went to Virginia, $3.18 a gallon last Friday. And they sock it to us in Pennsylvania."

A number of drivers report lower gas prices in other parts of the country.

"Actually I think it is a little ridiculous because my husband is actually in Myrtle Beach right now, and he text me and said its only $3.13 down there.

When it comes to the cause of the higher gas prices in Pennsylvania, some retailers and motorists blame harrisburg and the recent increase in state gas taxes.

"I think that Governor Corbett touting his record as far as lowering taxes and improving the economy. But I don't see how for the common person, paying more money for gas helps in that. That is a regressive tax."

But across the county gas price analysts say other forces are at work like the partial shutdown of refineries to change to summer blends of gas.

"Between now and april we're likely to tack on another 40 cents a gallon. In some areas it could be 30, in other areas it could be 50."

That just makes some drivers in this area angry.

"I don't understand it, i think they are just gouging us. Just gouging us, saying about changing the blends and everything."

And plenty of motorists say the higher cost of gas is already taking a toll.

"Yeah, we don't take trips any more, we don't even go out of the state we stay local. And I use a lot of gas for my work cause i travel, people's home to homes so it affects me a lot."

While gas prices have been going up in recent months, there are still about sixteen cents a gallon cheaper than they were at this time last year. That's little comfort to those who find themselves already feeling some financial pain at the pump.Kevin Flanigan WTAJ News.

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